Foundation Learning Students Create Cinemagic Success

Foundation Learning students from SERC Newtownards Campus have completed a Digital Skills Programme developed by Cinemagic. 

Last year, Cinemagic — a Belfast-based film festival and charity — was approached by SERC Learning Support Assistant Cathy McKenzie, regarding a programme that was being delivered to Special Needs Schools in Northern Ireland. Following discussions, Cathy and Cinemagic explored running the initiative for Foundation Learning students at SERC. After securing funding from the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, Cinemagic agreed to deliver the programme — marking the first programme they have delivered in the further education sector. In addition to SERC, Cinemagic also delivered the programme to Killard House School, Longstone Special School, Parkview Special School, Rosstulla Special School, and Cedar Lodge Special School. 

The programme ran for four weeks, which was delivered by Cinemagic and facilitated by arts charity WheelWorks Arts. During the programme, the Foundation Learning students designed and created their own digital games on iPads, learning new digital and graphics-making skills along the way. The created games ranged from being set in Chernobyl to featuring Tinkerbel, displaying the creative variety of the class. After creating their games, the students and members of other schools on the programme attended a screening of their games, and of Snow White, in Movie House Cinema City Side, Belfast. 

SERC Foundation Learning student Ryan McCauley comments, “The Cinemagic Programme was really enjoyable, I learnt how to take my idea and create my own game, I edited it and added music, I learnt lots of new skills and it was so much fun.” 

SERC Learning Support Assistant Cathy McKenzie comments, “The Cinemagic programme was a resounding success, resulting in a vibrant collection of ideas from the students, showcasing the diverse self-expression from the group to develop some wonderful creative games.” 

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